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KOTA KINABALU: A sub-leader along with four Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) members were shot dead in an armed clash with police forces during a special integrated operation in an illegal settlement area in the mangrove swamp behind Taman Sri Arjuna, Beaufort, on Monday.

State Police Commisioner Datuk Hazani Ghazali said among those who died at the scene were Mabar Binda, Jurakhdam Binda @ Jura @ Abu Jura, Alsimar Sukarno, Abhirham Samsula @ Samsed and another whose identity was not known at press time.

He said security forces throughout Sabah have been instructed to be prepared to face the possibility of retaliation from ASG members.

On May 8, Eight suspected Abu Sayyaf militants including two wanted by the Philippine Government were among 37 people nabbed in an operation at the same location.

Hazani said they consisted of eight men, eight women and 21 children who are believed to have been in Sabah for more than a year and believed to have made Sabah their hiding place.